Some tips on what you can use for Newborn Sessions

Here are some helpful tips that not only are simple but will also have your wallet thanking you!


Newborn Session Tips - Props:

A newborn posing kit which comes with a backdrop stand, posing bean bag and posing pillows for roughly a $160-250+ -- Why pay a fortune plus additional money for shipping and handling, when you can pay a lot less, simply by using items you may already have or can purchase for cheaper?




Replace with:  A traditional child's size bean bag from Wal-Mart ($19.88+ FREE store pick up)  - I recommend one that is 96 inches in circumference or larger.


Purchase a traditional backdrop stand (eBay - $30) and a boppy and/or nursing pillow (can be found on Amazon or eBay for less than $25, compared to Wal-Mart's $45+). Simply lower it to the lowest you level it will go and clamp your blanket backdrop to the stand.


** You can buy various clamps at a wide variety of stores online or in person for less than $3 and often with free shipping (such as on eBay or Amazon).


Use small hand towels that you already own to place underneath blankets, instead of posing pillows, to help provide additional support for the newborn.  Neck pillows also work wonders - you can literally purchase one with messaging neck beads for $1 at your local Dollar Tree!


Use puppy pads (also an inexpensive find at Dollar Tree) in between the multiple layers of your blankets - that way if the newborn happens to have an accident, it will be an easy clean up.


Instead of going out to purchase an expensive White Noise Machine, simply download the free version of Spotify Music Software onto your laptop, phone or tablet and create a 'Soothing Baby Sounds' playlist -- it does not get any better than free!


You can buy a pack of 3 baby wash clothes (again at Dollar Tree) for $1 -- these can be used as additional burp cloths or to simply help clean up any accidents that may occur.


I also recommend checking out thrift stores for potential baby props - what is one person's trash can easily be repurposed as another person's undiscovered treasure!  Thrift stores almost always have a wide variety of blankets of different textures, colors, patterns and so much more -- usually between $4.99-$6.99


So, let's recap....those expensive newborn posing kits - $160-$250+
Your Expenses:  $80-$100 (if not less) that is approximately a 30-40% difference!



That is all for this time folks!  I hope I have inspired you to go out there and find things still at great value but for a whole lot less!!



 

Now hiring for photography assistant internships!

Brittani McConnell Photography

Internship Application

Brittani McConnell Photography© is accepting internship applications for a part time internship position. Please read all information below to be considered. If you should have any questions, please email me at brittanimcconnellphotography@gmail.com 

Internships with Brittani McConnell Photography© can last anywhere from 6 months-1 year. 
*NOTE:  Internships are unpaid and may or may not lead to paid job opportunities.

Internship Duties:

• Must be available to work 2-3 days per week, a minimum of at least 3 hours a day + events
• PR, Marketing, Social Media
• Assisting with editing photos
• Assisting on photo shoots 
• Managing shipping and/or delivery of prints, albums or products
•  Assisting with scheduling photo shoots based on my calendar availability
•  Answering calls and emails
•  Assisting with keeping my studio neat and clean
•  Assisting with carrying cameras and equipment 

Perks:

• Access to my props, backdrops and floor drops
•   Being a part of a fast paced, fun, and creative environment
• One on one learning on the ends and outs of the business
•  First hand experience on photo shoots

Requirements

• Having your own DSLR camera, equipment, Adobe PS CC + Lightroom are BIG pluses
•  Must be available at least 2-3 days a week and often on nights and weekends
•  Must have reliable transportation
• Having a resume` that list some experience is a BIG plus
•  Must have at least 3 (non-family) references I can contact
•  Must be comfortable talking on the phone with clients
• Must have excellent people skills – graphic design skills are not required but are a HUGE plus
• Must be 18 years+ and/or legally able to work
• High School Diploma or GED Equivalent are preferred but not required
• Must be creative and dependable
• Must be able to lift 30lbs +

Internships can be applied during any season of the year.

How to apply

Send me an email here with your resume and cover letter.

* Please wait 1-2 days for a response

If you are chosen you will be notified by email and an interview will be arranged.

NOTE: Interviews will either be by phone or in person depending on my availability. 

Creating a Ombre Sky Overlay in PS CC

One of my favorite photographers, Page Kuepper, has recently decided to jump back into the photography business, after a needed break. As much as I hated to hear that she was considering ceasing her business entirely,  I am very happy that she is still involved with her photography and is now doing tutorials!  This particular post is more or less being written as a guide for me to be able to create an ombre sky overlay. However, I encourage you do give it a try too!




To see Page's tutorial on how to create an ombre sky overlay, click here.



Other links to view Page's work are:
Page's blog -  boulderlifestylephotography.com
Page's inspiration blog for beginner photographers - justforphotographers.com
Page's photography business page on Facebook - Page Kuepper Photography
Page's Facebook group for all things photography - Page Kuepper's: All Things Photography




Drop her a line and tell her how incredible she is!

How to resize your digital images for printing

As a photographer, I am confident in my talent and knowledge.  However, if I were to be told I had to be a mathematician....well, I would be completely out of luck. Thankfully, when I need to resize a digital image LR 5 (Light Room 5) already uses a 240 dpi (dot per inch); also known as ppi (pixels per inch) that automatically resizes my photos without me having to do them manually.  However, sometimes I do like to do things the hard way -- you can say I am a little stubborn with a whole lot of perfectionist.


I found  a video on YouTube that can help you learn how to quickly (under two minutes) resize a digital image manually.  This video shows you two different ways how to achieve this in Photoshop.


Click here to view, professional renowned photographer Scott Kelby's video on how to resize an image in Photoshop.

How to add a sky overlay in PS CC: Part 1

Have you ever taken a photo outside and the sky looks very bright and white?   I know I have. I am guessing that you have too. Well, today you are going to be able to add a sky overlay to fix that pesky whiteout in your photo in under 2 minutes!   Yes, folks', it is THAT easy.


Step 1:   Open the photo you wish you edit in Photoshop
Step 2:  Once you've loaded your photo, right click on your photo in the photo panel and create a duplicate layer.

Should look like this

Step 3:  Next, right click again on the original layer and then press the Lock symbol.  This will cause the layer to lock in place, so you do not accidentally ruin it and have to start over. 

Step 4: Once your original layer is locked, press File, then press "Place" or "Place Embedded". 

Step 5:  Choose the overlay you wish to use for your photo.  Be sure to have some already downloaded (it is easier and quicker to have them pre-loaded). Then press "Place".

Step 6: Next click on the check mark symbol once you have your overlay in place. 

Step 7:  In your photo panel (located on the bottom right hand side) click on where it says "Normal" - this is your blending mode button.  Scroll down where it says "Multiply" then click on it. 

Step 8:  Once you have your blending mode on Multiply, click on your overlay in the photo panel, then click on the "Add Mask Layer" also known as the "Add Vector Mask" button (located under neath the photo panel -- is a white box with a grey circle in the middle). This will cause a white layer box to automatically pop up beside your overlay. 

Step 9:  Click on the Brush Tool (located on the left side of PS).  Be sure you choose a soft white brush. Next you're simply going to drag the brush over the parts of the photo that you want removed. By using the Brush Tool, you are blending in the overlay in with your photo. 

Step 10:  Lastly just gently blend the overlay in with the photo.  I left my overlay opacity at about 86% and my fill in layer around 90% -- Once you've blended in the overlay, be sure you right click on the overlay in the photo panel. This will cause a white screen to pop up -- click on "Merge Down". By merging the overlay edit down, it will combine with your duplicate layer and your original layer to form one layer.  All that is left is to simply click "File" and "Save As" and you're done!!

End Result

Let's talk about LR Presets!

If you are a photographer, then you have had experience with using Photoshop and/or Lightroom, perhaps other products from Adobe - yes?   What if I told you that you can find LR presets and PS Actions for free -- Would you believe me?  Well, it is true!   I have 44 user presets that I downloaded for FREE, no sign up costs, no package fee, FREE.


Here are some links where you can download free LR presets and PS Actions:
Cole's Classroom
The Coffeeshop Blog
Greater Than Gatsby
Adobe Creative Cloud - Add Ons


I'll be sure to add more links the more I find them and post them for you all on here!  (:

Why I prefer digital cameras to film cameras

Why I do not love film cameras:

Film cameras are actually pretty great and photographers are more inclined to use one when first starting out in this profession.  However, film cameras can be a bit tricky...

• You NEVER know how your photo(s) are going to turn out, yes, even when you are on the level with professionals. 

• Film no longer cost as low as $.50, $1.00, or so per roll.  Now, ONE roll of 200-400 mm indoor/outdoor film is $5, change, plus tax. 

• Film is no longer inexpensive to develop.  ONE roll of film (just for single prints) is $9.99 + tax.  Seriously, folks' - it is camera madness. 

• A lot of camera service shops no longer carry parts to old cameras (all brands). 

• With a 35 mm film camera, you cannot edit your photos on the spot, or adjust your camera's setting to specific functions (unless the model is less than say 15-20 yrs old).  

• You HAVE to know your lighting and how the light of day changes as the clock goes on. This can be hard to achieve, even if using a digital camera, if you do not have good knowledge on the topic. 

Like I said, film cameras are great but pretty much only when you are first starting out.

Other wise, your hard-earned money, should be put towards a digital camera. 

Here is a photo of a vintage 35mm Canon AE-1 film camera (not credited to me).

Why I love digital cameras: 

This happens to be the very same model in which I use and I am head-over-heels in love with it.

• Digital cameras are fantastic because before you click the "take photo button", you can have the option to see what it is you are capturing vs. not being able to see using a film camera. 

• Particularly with my T5i, I can edit photos while they are still on my camera, pre-upload to Lightroom or Photoshop.

• You never have to pay exuberant amounts for 35 mm film or have to pay to have your film developed (unless you want prints of your digital photos -- then you're on your own). 

• More often then not a local camera service store, such as Wolf, or Canon, will have the extra parts you may need (i.e: internal reflecting mirror, lenses, straps, even additional camera bodies, etc).

• The photo quality is sharper and you have the option of photographing in a HR format. ** HR = High Resolution, also known as HQF, "High Quality Formatting". 

• Other local area photographers would be able to assist you more if you used a digital in comparison to a film camera.  This is due to the fact that nearly 9 out of 10 photographers, now and days, prefer digital over film. 

• Ultimately, for me, there are just a lot more pros to cons when using a digital camera. 

 Here is a photo of a digital Canon EOS Rebel T5i DSLR camera (not credited to me). 

Which is the best camera for you?

My advice is to play around on either or until you have knowledge of photography 101: camera basics (such as: How to operate your camera, indoor/outdoor lighting, knowledge of ISO, manual mode vs. automatic mode, and so much more). Only YOU can really decide which you feel is better. I am a apart of a small community of photographers and approximately 1/3 of them prefer classic film to modern-aged digital and are very good with using them. So, you never truly know what will ignite that photo-taking-enthusiast deep within in until you try.